Here’s a fun question for your upcoming pub quiz: name the only hybrid rotary car ever produced. If you named the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, then congratulations! But next year you might be able to name the RX-8′s successor, the aptly-named RX-9, as another car that’s hybrid Wankelin’.

According to Mazda’s Hiroshima headquarters, the company is busy at work on the next MX-5 Miata and new tech like the SkyActiv engine, leaving precious few R&D funds for the RX-9. ”We want to take the RX-9 to the next level but just can’t find the man-hours to do it,” says an insider in the company. “We have a guideline. We know what we have to do. But as we must give priority to the next-gen MX-5, we only have a small band of guys working on the RX-9.”

NASCAR racer Kyle Busch is used to going stupid fast. Normally it’s behind the wheel of his M&Ms sponsored No. 18 Toyota race car, but in what Busch describes as a “lack of judgement” the pro driver was recently clocked test driving a yellow Lexus LFA at a speed that is plenty fast, and even more stupid.

In a statement released today, Busch apologized after being busted driving 128-mph in a 45 mph zone near his house in Mooresville, N.C. The vehicle he was piloting is none other than the LFA supercar, one of just 500 to be built by Toyota’s Lexus luxury division, with a 552-hp V10 engine and a $375,00 price tag.

“I apologize to the public, my fans, sponsors, and race teams for my lack of judgment,” said Busch in a statement. “I take responsibility for my actions and I can assure you that something like this will never happen again. I thank the Iredell County Sheriff’s Department and all law enforcement for the hard work they do every day to protect the public and to enforce the laws in a fair and equitable manner.”

Busch is currently ranked third in the Sprint Cup standings and the incident is not expected to affect his status as a NASCAR driver. It could, however, have a less than positive impact on his sponsorship agreement.

[Source: USAToday]

The headline could have also read “finally, a Honda with some torque.” Ok, we kid. But the mere existence of a rear-wheel-drive Acura Integra with a blown 454 Chevy big-block says two things: 1.) you can turn anything into a Pro Street racer with enough knuckle sweat, and 2.) always follow your dreams, kids.

The impressive Integra was reportedly built by Pro Street Unlimited, based in Manchester NH, and features a manual transmission, a belt-driven supercharger, electric blue paint and a sound like God’s Own Cuisinart. Rumors that this car is the current prototype for the next NSX are still unsubstantiated.

[Source: 1A Auto Blog]

Watch the video after the jump:

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Famed freeskier and alpine ski racer Jon Olsson is no stranger to campaigning wicked rides on the road. Most recently at the GT Polonia 2010 event, Olsson and a friend explored the roads and race tracks of Germany and Poland in his custom tuned Ultima GTR. The matte black supercar featured Red Bull and Yokohama graphics as it blasted its less than 2,200-lbs frame and 800-hp through Europe. The road-legal racer then disappeared as Olsson prepared for a complete makeover in anticipation for this year’s Gumball 3000.

Now after six months of development, Olsson unleashed his Rebellion R1k Ultima GTR project onto the streets of Stockholm for its maiden voyage. Unfortunately the car ran into some higher water temperatures so its Gumball adventure has been delayed. Instead Olsson will pilot Nissan GT-R (you know, the other GT-R) to make the first leg of the trip and plans to have the Rebellion join in a few days once its gremlins are figured out.

Check out the video of this devastatingly awesome piece of machinery after the jump:

[Source: Jon Olsson]

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Audi is set to abandon its Q7 V12 TDI due to slow sales and rapidly advancing diesel technology in their smaller displacement motors. The current V12 TDI makes 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft, and is widely considered to be one of the most impressive SUVs on the market.

But with Audi’s V6 TDI making a more-than-adequate 313 horsepower (compared to the 4.2L V8s 340 horsepower), Audi is moving to drop both the V12 and V8 TDI motors in favor of the newer, more efficient V6. Mercedes-Benz and BMW abandoned large displacement diesels long ago, so such a move wouldn’t be out of character for Germany’s third luxury brand.

[Source: Car and Driver]

According to the latest barely substantiated rumors, Lincoln the famous American luxury brand know for its large sedans and SUVs is about to get into performance coupes. Lincoln will hopefully join the fight in the performance luxury car sector up against some of the best including: Mercedes- Benz, Audi, BMW and Inifiniti. According to June’s issue of Road & Track, Lincoln may produce a lightweight, mid engined two-seater with either a supercharged V6 or a naturally aspirated V8.

Lincoln is planning to introduce seven new or revamped models within the next three years. A brand constantly trying to differentiate itself from Ford may be able to do just that with a new sports car. Furthermore, if Lincoln can produce this performance vehicle, it will be more likely to attract different demographics than soccer moms and retirees to its dealerships.

[Source: Automotive News]

Given the reasonable success of its Sprinter over here, along with other recent commercial transplants from Europe, namely the Ford Transit Connect and upcoming Fiat based offerings from Chrysler, it probably isn’t surprising that Mercedes is looking at importing the Sprinter’s baby brother, the Vito, as an option.

On sale in European markets since 1996 both as a commercial panel van and passenger carrier, the Vito is currently offered in three different lengths across the pond, along with two roof heights, a choice of rear or all-wheel drive and a range of CDI direct injection diesel engines.

If the idea of importation goes beyond merely  a suggestion, it is likely Mercedes might  uncover a sizeable niche for mid-size cargo vans with the Vito, since currently, neither Ford, Chrysler, nor GM (since the demise of the Astro/Safari) has anything that would directly compete with it at present, though if Chrysler does offer a version of the lighter duty Fiat Ducato, things could get interesting. Watch this space.

[Source: Autoblog]

BMW will only produce the BMW 1 Series M for the 2011 production year, making the brand’s latest sports coupe a guaranteed collectible in the future.

BMW admits that its latest high performance two door rocket will have a very limited run of one model year. With the limited production in place, the $46,135 price tag may be worth much more in a few years. BMW confirmed that the 1 Series M Coupe will have a short production run and that the next generation 1 Series is at least two-and-a-half years away. BMW stated that “less than 1,000 units” will be produced in 2011.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

The Reagan Library located in Simi Valley, California, will debut an exhibition on May 27th called Start Your Engines: American Race Cars at the Reagan Library. This exhibit will feature race cars and other racing memorabilia. This exhibit will be featured at the Reagan Library, because of the former President’s interest in racing.

The exhibit will run until Oct. 23 and will display several famous cars from NASCAR and the Indy 500. Cars  driven  by Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson and Dan Wheldon will be on display, as well as trophies, helmets, fire suits and photos.

Reagan’s NASCAR passion was highlighted in 1984 at the Firecracker 400 at Daytona Speedway when he started the race from Air Force One saying “Gentleman, start your engines!” phrase. Later that day, Air Force One landed behind the Daytona Speedway in full view of the fans.

[Source: Autoweek]

Electric turbochargers are the snake oil of automotive technology. Often times, these contraptions (seen above), which resemble something sold at a boat shop, are peddled on Ebay with dubious claims regarding horsepower and fuel economy gains.

But a report out of Britain suggests that BMW‘s upcoming X3M will be powered by a new tri-turbo straight-six engine, using two conventional turbos and an “electric turbocharger”. In the spirit of wild conjecture that permeates all automotive news, no further information was given about this technology, which would be revolutionary should it actually exist.

In any case, we do believe that the odds of an X3M are high, in light of Audi’s plans for an RS-tuned Q5, and the German luxo-brand’s endless drive to fill every possible niche.

[Source: CAR]